A brief history of classical computers

Charles Babbage, also known as the father of the computer, was the first person to develop a mechanical classical computer, called the difference engine. In this computer, the parts were entirely made by hand and punched cards were used to provide inputs to the computer. Then, electromechanical computers were developed during World War II and these were much more efficient than the mechanical difference engine developed by Babbage, using electrical switches to operate the mechanical relays in order to perform calculations. With the advent of vacuum tubes, this changed completely. This was because vacuum tubes are able to control the flow of electric current through the tube whenever an electric potential is applied at the tube ends.

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was the first programmable and digital computer made for a wider audience. This was constructed in 1945 and consisted of a variety of electronic and electrical...